Storage container docking system

Abstract

A storage docking system especially adapted for recreational vehicles has containers fixed to rails by couplers and can have one set of rails fixed to the vehicle and another set of rails fixed to a stationary storage space.

1 . A storage docking system, comprising:
 at least one container;   couplers fixed to the container, each said coupler having an opening;   a first set of rails fixed to a mounting surface of the vehicle in a storage space of the vehicle;   wherein the openings of the couplers are sized to receive the first set of rails so as to support the container by the first set of rails in the storage space of the vehicle.   
   
   
       2 . A storage docking system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the couplers are lockable to the first set of rails. 
   
   
       3 . A storage docking system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the couplers each define a channel, each said coupler having a locking member that can be moved from a released position in which the opening to the channel of the coupler is open or to a locked position in which the opening to the channels is blocked, the first set of rails being spaced above a mounting surface of the vehicle to which the rails are mounted and being sized to be received within the channels, wherein in the released position of the locking member the rails can be received within the channels and in the locked position of the locking member, the locking member extends into the space between the rail to which it is engaged and the mounting surface to secure the container to the vehicle. 
   
   
       4 . The storage docking system for a vehicle as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a second set of rails fixed in a storage space in a building, and wherein the openings of the couplers are sized to receive either the first or the second set of rails so as to support the container by either the first or the second set of rails, so that the container can be stored in either the vehicle or the building. 
   
   
       5 . A storage docking system as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the couplers are lockable to at least the first set of rails. 
   
   
       6 . The storage docking system for a vehicle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first set of rails is mounted to the vehicle so as to extend laterally relative to the direction of normal straight line travel of the vehicle. 
   
   
       7 . The storage docking system for a vehicle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first set of rails runs parallel to the direction of normal straight line travel of the vehicle. 
   
   
       8 . The storage docking system for a vehicle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the container can be slid laterally relative to the rails when the container is coupled to the rails by the couplers. 
   
   
       9 . The storage docking system for a vehicle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the couplers are connected to the container so that the channels open downwardly relative to a bottom wall of the container. 
   
   
       10 . The storage docking system for a vehicle as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the couplers extend below the bottom wall of the container. 
   
   
       11 . The storage docking system for a vehicle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the couplers are connected to the container such that the channels of the couplers open outwardly away from a side of the container. 
   
   
       12 . The storage docking system for a vehicle as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the couplers are connected to sidewalls of the container. 
   
   
       13 . The storage docking system for a vehicle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the container is a wire basket.